76232-29THERE are still at least three months to go until the general election but Swindon has already started to show signs of election fever.

And to underline the Labour message Anne Snelgrove, the candidate hoping to take over from Julia Drown, retiring MP for South Swindon, had a cunning plan.

She hit the streets of Old Town with a talking fox called Freddie.

The stunt was a riposte to news that the constituency is being targeted by foxhunters when the election is called.

On Tuesday the Adver reported that riders from the Beaufort, Old Berkshire and Vale of White Horse hunts are preparing to campaign in South Swindon on behalf of Robert Buckland, the Conservative candidate.

The campaign, organised by Lechlade farmer Charles Mann, will involve canvassing voters on doorsteps, distributing leaflets and putting up Tory posters.

Yesterday the urban fox, which appeared to be around six feet tall, seemed very relaxed.

He must be flourishing after the hunting ban that came into effect last week.

He said: "I was chased for 16 miles yesterday and it was no joke, I can tell you."

After a pause he decided to confess that actually it was another fox that had been chased for 16 miles. But it's probably the principle that counts.

Julia Drown, soon to be released from all of this madness, was on hand to lend support.

The sitting MP was mainly standing, while the fox ended up sitting on Old Town's newest bench.

Earlier in the week it played host to the economically sized behind of Willie Carson.

It should be reported that Freddie the fox was bigger than Willie the jockey.

Anne Snelgrove said: "We are here with the League Against Cruel Sports as a riposte to the Tories who have hunts helping them.

"South Swindon people have a lot more in common with the fox than they do with toffs on horseback."

The fun continues today when the Conservatives have promised that one of their councillors will be appearing outside BHS dressed as a criminal.

If Labour and the Conservatives can be this entertaining, who needs the Monster Raving Loony Party?

David Andrew